ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution's Strategic Measures: Stabilizing Wheat and Rice Prices for Consumer Benefit
Mumbai, 16 August 2023
The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution's Department of Food and Public Distribution has taken a significant step towards ensuring price stability and consumer benefit. In an effort to curb escalating prices and extend the advantages of stabilization to consumers, the Ministry has authorized the disposal of surplus wheat and rice through the Open Market Sale Scheme .
Under this scheme, 50 Lakh Metric Tons of wheat from the Central Pool Stock are set to be offered through e-auction to flour mills, processors, and manufacturers of wheat products. A limit of 100 Metric Tonnes per PAN Card has been imposed, enabling wider participation and equitable distribution. Simultaneously, the sale of 25 Lakh Metric Tons of rice is also approved under the scheme.
Notably, the scope of participation isn't restricted solely to producers and processors. Traders of rice are also invited to engage in the sale auctions. Each bidder can bid for up to 1000 Metric Tons, promoting a diverse and competitive marketplace.
The auction process, which commenced on June 28th and subsequently recurs every Wednesday, has already witnessed seven auctions for wheat and six auctions for rice. Impressively, a total of 3,68,143 MT of wheat and 1,65,000 MT of rice have been offered, with a reserved price structure. Specifically, Fair Average Quality wheat is priced at Rs 2150/Quintal, Under Relaxed Specification wheat at Rs 2125/quintal, Fortified Rice at Rs 2973/Quintal, and FAQ Rice at Rs 2900/Quintal. Encouragingly, 1,29,943 MT of wheat and 230 MT of rice have been successfully accepted through these auctions.
The tangible impact of this initiative is reflected in the lifting of 1,05,354 MT of wheat and 210 MT of rice as of 13.08.2023. This market intervention, aimed at tempering inflationary pressures, underscores the Ministry's commitment to ensuring price stability and extending the benefits to the end consumer.| PIB Mumbai | S.Thakur/D.Rane
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Ministry of Home Affairs
Strengthening of Police System
“Police” and “Public Order” are State subjects as per the Constitution of India and States/UTs are primarily responsible for strengthening the mechanism of their Law Enforcement Agencies  and administration considering all types of crimes including cyber crimes. The responsibility of prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of crimes rests with the States/UTs.
Modernisation of police forces is a continuous process and the efforts of the States are supplemented by MHA under the scheme of “Assistance to States for Modernization of Police” [erstwhile scheme of Modernization of Police Forces ]. Under this scheme, the State Governments are provided central assistance for acquisition of latest weaponry, training gadgets, advanced communication/forensic equipment, Cyber Policing equipment etc.
The States have formulated 3 to 5 year Action Plans named State Security Plans to modernise and strengthen the Police System. Each year, Central share is conveyed to State Governments and after adding State share, State Governments formulate State Action Plans  by including items as per requirements and strategic priorities including combating cyber crimes and these SAPs are considered by High Powered Committee  in the Ministry.
The budgetary allocations and releases to the State Governments under this Scheme during the past 5 years are as below:

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Year
|
|
Allocation
|
|
Release
|
|
2015-16
|
|
662.11
|
|
662.11
|
|
2016-17
|
|
595.00
|
|
594.02
|
|
2017-18
|
|
769.00  452.10 
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|
451.68
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|
2018-19
|
|
769.00
|
|
768.83
|
|
2019-20
|
|
811.30  791.30 
|
|
781.12
Expertise of various specialized organizations such as Directorate of Coordination Police Wireless , Directorate of Forensic Science Services , National Crime Records Bureau  etc. are utilized while formulating and approving the State Action Plans . MHA has also circulated critical / minimum prescribed State level infrastructure in the field of radio communication and national standards in the field of forensics.
The Central Government has also taken steps for spreading awareness about cyber crimes, issuance of alerts/ advisories, capacity building/ training of law enforcement personnel/ prosecutors/ judicial officers, improving cyber forensics facilities etc. The Government has launched the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, www.cybercrime.gov.in to enable public to report incidents pertaining to all types of cyber crimes with special focus on cyber crimes against women and children.
This was stated by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri G. Kishan Reddy in a written reply to question in the Lok Sabha today.
Prime Minister's Office
PM to dedicate 2G Ethanol Plant in Panipat on 10th August
Plant will utilise around two lakh tonnes of rice straw to generate about three crore litres of Ethanol annually
Production of biofuel will empower farmers through provision of additional income generation opportunity
It will also contribute to reduction of about three lakh tonnes of Carbon Dioxide equivalent emissions per year
On the occasion of World Biofuel Day, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will dedicate the 2nd generation  Ethanol Plant in Panipat, Haryana to the nation on 10th August, 2022 at 4:30 PM via video conferencing.
The dedication of the Plant is part of a long series of steps taken by the government over the years to boost the production and usage of biofuels in the country. This is in line with the Prime Minister’s constant endeavour to transform the energy sector into being more affordable, accessible, efficient and sustainable.
The 2G Ethanol Plant has been built at an estimated cost of over Rs. 900 crore by Indian Oil Corporation Ltd.  and is located close to the Panipat Refinery. Based on state-of-the-art indigenous technology, the project will turn a new chapter in India’s waste-to-wealth endeavours by utilising about 2 lakh tonnes of rice straw  annually to generate around 3 crore litres of Ethanol annually.
Creating an end-use for the agri-crop residue would empower farmers and provide an additional income generation opportunity for them. The Project will provide direct employment to people involved in the plant operation and indirect employment will be generated in the supply chain for rice straw cutting, handling, storage, etc.
The project will have zero liquid discharge. Through reduction in burning of rice straw , the project will contribute to a reduction of Greenhouse Gases equivalent to about 3 lakh tonnes of Carbon Dioxide equivalent emissions per annum, which can be understood as equivalent to replacing nearly 63,000 cars annually on the country's roads.
Ministry of Civil Aviation
The first phase of the development of Bhogapuram International Greenfield Airport set in motion
The Greenfield airport will be developed in three phases
The first phase to cost Rs. 4592 cr and it will create infrastructure that will serve 6 mn passengers per annum
The runway will be of 3800 meters and CAT I enabled
A Cargo Terminal will be developed in an area of 5000 sq meters
The Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh Shri Jagan Mohan Reddy laid the foundation stone for the development of Bhogapuram International Airport on 3rd May 2023.
The project will be developed in three phases:
1st phase - Will be developed to serve 6 million passengers per annum 
2nd phase - The capacity will be increased up to 12 MPPA
3rd phase – The development will conclude with a total capacity of 18 MPPA
This airport will be developed as a Greenfield airport and has an estimated project cost of Rs. 4592 crore for phase 1. The total land area of the airport will be 2203.26 acres with CAT I enabled runaway spread across 3800 meters and a cargo terminal in 5000 sq meters.
A Memorandum of Understanding  was signed between the Airports Authority of India  and the Government of Andhra Pradesh on 12.09.2022, wherein it was agreed that the State Govt. will mutate the entire Airport land in the name of AAI without charging any stamp duty or mutation charges or any other charges or fee within 06 months from the date of signing of MoU, and Civil Enclave at Visakhapatnam  would be closed for 30 years from the date of commencement of operations of Bhogapuram Airport.
The MoU between the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Airport Developer i.e. GMR Visakhapatnam International Airport Limited  was exchanged on 10.03.2023 for reserved services at the airport and The Agreement between GVIAL and BCAS was exchanged on 06.04.2023.
The airport would become a growth engine for the development of the state and play a key role in the rise of tourism in the Northern Andhra region.
Ministry of Finance
Infrastructure Finance Secretariat, DEA, organises workshop to sensitise Centre and State Governments officials regarding empaneled Transaction Advisers  for Public Private Partnership  Projects
The Infrastructure Finance Secretariat in the Department of Economic Affairs , Ministry of Finance, in continuation of its endeavour to boost infrastructure development in the country, today organised a workshop to sensitise the officials from the Central Infrastructure Line Ministries, States and UT Governments regarding empaneled transaction advisers for PPP projects. The workshop was attended by 250+ representatives of Centre and State Governments.
During the workshop, the officials were sensitised with the pivotal role of PPPs in boosting the infrastructure development of the country and the key interventions that are being undertaken by the Central Government. DEA sensitised the officials that the support can be taken from the empaneled Transaction Advisers to structure bankable PPP projects. The empanelment is done for making the process of appointment of transaction advisors/consultant Effortless, Efficient and Effective.
Officials were further sensitised with the manual developed by DEA i.e. Transaction Advisers for PPP projects: Manual for use of the panel. The manual is a step by step guide that can be referred by the project sponsoring authorities to on-board a transaction adviser. Officials were briefed with steps involved in the process viz., establishing project requirements; defining objectives of the assignment, developing terms of reference for the assignment, defining eligibility criteria, identifying key personnel for executing the project, Publishing RfP, etc.
The officials were also briefed regarding DEA schemes for financial support to PPPs which inter alia include Viability Gap Funding  Scheme to support economically justified but commercially unviable projects, and the India Infrastructure Project Development Fund  to fund PPP project development expenses including costs of engaging Transaction Adviser.
The workshop witnessed an active participation from the Centre and State/UT Governments officials and the queries from the participants were also addressed. Further information regarding TA Panel, VGF Scheme and IIPDF is available on pppinindia.gov.in.
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
“Working and functioning of Civil Servants to Shift from ‘Rule to Role’”
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh addresses Workshop on
“National Programme for Civil Services Capacity Building” at
Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi
“Mission Karmayogi ”, the National Programme for Civil Service Capacity Building  seeks to use current available resources & further augment them to usher in a competency-based learning and development
“Efforts Underway to Hold Single Common Eligibility Test in Every District of the Country by January Next Year”
Union Minister of State  Science & Technology; Minister of State  Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh today said that for the first time in the history of independent India, with the support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a pathbreaking initiative has been taken to shift the working and functioning of the Civil Servants from ‘Rule to Role’, through the Government’s most ambitious reform ‘Mission Karmayogi’, so that they are confident and able to perform the task assigned to them.
Addressing a Workshop on National Programme for Civil Services Capacity Building” at Indian Institute of Public Administration, the Minister said that this capacity building is taking place at the time of 75 years of India’s independence and India has not only survived these 75 years but has also grown as a nation.
Dr. Jitendra Singh said that the Narendra Modi government has indulged in large scale administrative reforms and the Prime Minister has given a culture in the country which is in tune to the ‘New India’ and the Prime Minister Modi has the courage and conviction to think ‘out of the box’.
Talking about the role of civil servants in present times, the Minister said that the obligations of government servants have changed over the years and their accountability has increased. He said that for any responsible nation, the ultimate motive is to ensure ‘ease of living’ for its citizens and India is treading well on this path.
The Minister said that a revolutionary decision was taken by the Modi Government in 2016 which made it mandatory for civil servants to undergo a three-month stint as Assistant Secretaries before going to their respective cadre. He also said that efforts are being made to hold a single Common Eligibility Test at every district level by January next year.
Dr. Jitendra Singh shared the benefits of scientific institutionalized mechanisms with the civil servants so that they are able to prepare themselves for future challenges.
Secretary, DoPT, Shri Deepak Khandekar, Director General, IIPA, Shri SN Tripathi and Registrar, IIPA, Shri Amitabh Ranjan were amongst the several other dignitaries present on the occasion.
Ministry of Finance
Cabinet approves release of an additional instalment of Dearness Allowance to Central Government employees and Dearness Relief to Pensioners, due from 01.01.2023
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today has given its approval to release an additional instalment of Dearness Allowance to Central Governments employees and Dearness Relief to Pensioners with effect from 01.01.2023. The additional instalment will represent an increase of 4% over the existing rate of 38% of the Basic Pay/Pension, to compensate against price rise.
The combine impact on the exchequer on account of both Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief would be Rs.12,815.60 crore per annum.
This will benefit about 47.58 lakh Central Governments employees and 69.76 lakh pensioners.
This increase is in accordance with the accepted formular which is based on the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission.
President's Secretariat
President of India to visit Uttar Pradesh from March 13 to 15
The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, will visit Uttar Pradesh from March 13 to 15, 2021.
The President will reach Varanasi in the afternoon of March 13, 2021.
On March 14, 2021, the President will visit Chapki in Sonbhadra district where he will grace the Vanvasi Samagam and inaugurate the newly constructed building of Seva Kunj Ashram.
On March 15, 2021, the President will grace the inaugural session of Jagran Forum on issues of Ganga, Environment and the culture of India, being organised by Dainik Jagran in Varanasi.
Ministry of Communications
Cooperation on Digital communications & economy discussed between India and European Commission.
The Minister of State for Communications  Government of India, Mr Manoj Sinha and the H.E. Mr Andrus Ansip, European Commissioner for Digital Single Market and Vice President of the European Commission have met in New Delhi to discuss cooperation on Digital communications, Digital economy and society. India and European Union  stressed that Digital Communications and Technologies are of vital importance for all spheres of society, business and government. The development and widespread adoption of new ICT services and networks have powerful effects on economic and social development, supporting sustainable growth and competitiveness and contributing to addressing global societal challenges. Both sides noted the importance of supporting global standards and welcomed the close technical cooperation between the Indian and European Telecom Standardization Development Organizations - TSDSI  and ETSI .
Both sides confirmed their commitment to further strengthen and broaden the cooperation in the field of Digital Communications and Emerging Technologies. India and the EU will work together to develop joint plans of action in the agreed areas of cooperation such as-future networks and emerging technologies, including 5G,IoT/M2Metc.,promotingR&D and innovation, network security, spectrum management, enhanced capacity development as well as policy and regulatory requirements among others.
EU expressed interest in strengthening cooperation in the area of testing and certification by supporting the visit of Indian Government experts to the European testing and certification laboratories for telecom equipment, with a view to exploring the possibility of India recognizing EU certifications. EU side also discussed about basic custom duties on some ICT products.
The two sides reaffirmed that regular bilateral dialogue with focused and dedicated approach is essential for steering constructive engagements and promoting future cooperation in the field of Digital Communications.
The India-EUco-operation dialogue on Digital Communications will take place annually through appropriate mechanism within the existing framework of the India-EU Joint Working Group on ICTs which was set up in 2011.Both sides agreed to hold the next India-EU dialogue on cooperation in the field of Digital Communications in the first half of 2019.
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SNC
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Ministry of Communications
TRAI releases Consultation Paper on "Data Communication Services between Aircraft and Ground Stations provided by Organizations other than Airports Authority of India"
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India  has released a Consultation Paper on "Data Communication Services between Aircraft and Ground Stations provided by Organizations other than Airports Authority of India”, here yesterday.
Department of Telecommunication , through its letter dated 12th April 2022, has inter-alia stated that VHF data link services consist of the data for the tracking the aircraft for safety of flights. The Ministry of Communications has made frequency assignments to M/s Société Internationale de TélécommunicationsAéronautique  and M/s Bird Consultancy Services  to operate VHF Data Communication Link between aircrafts and ground stations.Considering that VHF Data Link Services to provide Aircraft Communication Addressing and Reporting  service can be beneficial to track aircrafts on a real-time basis and help investigations/ search and rescue operations in the unfortunate event of aviation disaster, DoT has requested TRAI under the terms of clause 11 of TRAI Act, 1997  to provide recommendations on the following:
- An appropriate mechanism to regulate the services provided by these organizations;
- The manner in which the frequency assignment should be made to these organizations, in light of the supreme Court judgment made in the 2G case in 2012 - to assign radio frequencies only through auction.
In this regard, a Consultation Paper on "Data Communication Services Between Aircraft and Ground Stations Provided by Organizations Other Than Airports Authority of India", seeking inputs from stakeholders have been placed on TRAl's website . Written comments on the issues raised in the Consultation Paper are invited from stakeholders by 9th January 2023 and counter comments by 23rdJanuary 2023.
The comments/ counter-comments may be sent, preferably in electronic form at advmn@trai.gov.in. For any clarification/ information, Shri Akhilesh Kumar Trivedi, Advisor , TRAI may be contacted at Telephone Number +91-11-23210481.
President's Secretariat
President of India presents Gallantry Awards
The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, presented Gallantry Awards and Distinguished Service Decorations at the Defence Investiture Ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan today .
Please click here for the list of awardees.
Ministry of Communications
Pension and Dak Adalat on 10 January
The Department of Posts, office of the Postmaster General, Goa Region is holding a divisional level Pension and Dak Adalat on January 10, 2023. The pension adalat will be held at 11.00 AM and 12.00 noon at the office of superintendent of Post Offices, Goa Division, Panaji. Complaints relating to postal services about non settlement of grievances may now if undecided be tendered in Pension and Dak adalat. Application along with a copy of original to be sent before 9th January. The complainant/pensioner can attend the adalat at one's own cost.
Competition Commission of India
CCI approves acquisition of Rivigo Services Private Limited  by Spring Canter Investment Ltd  through subscription of compulsorily convertible preference shares
The Competition Commission of India  approves acquisition of Rivigo Services Private Limited  by Spring Canter Investment Ltd  through subscription of compulsorily convertible preference shares, under Section 31 of the Competition Act, 2002.
SCIL is an investment holding company incorporated under the laws of Mauritius and does not have any physical presence in India. Its shareholders are certain private equity funds managed by Warburg Pincus LLC .
Warburg is a member-owned private equity firm headquartered in New York, United States, and acts as manager to certain private equity funds. The portfolio companies owned by the private equity funds are active in a variety of sectors, including energy, financial services, healthcare, pharma, general insurance, consumer, industrial and business services, technology, media and telecommunications.
Rivigo is a technology-enabled logistics company in the trucking industry. It uses an innovative ‘driver relay’ model that enables trucks to cover more distances at a faster pace against the industry average. Its full-stack logistics offering includes relay-led trucking and freight marketplace. It empowers numerous shippers and fleet operators to optimize their fleet and achieve maximum results and aim to bring an impact across the freight ecosystem by making it fully digital and transparent.
Detailed order of the CCI will follow.
UPSC
Final Result of Central Industrial Security Force Assistant Commandants  Limited Departmental Competitive Examination, 2020
Based on the result of the written part of the Central Industrial Security Force Assistant Commandants  Limited Departmental Competitive Examination, 2020 held by the Union Public Service Commission on 01.03.2020 and the interviews for Personality Test held from 25.10.2021 to 28.10.2021, following is the list, in order of merit, of candidates who have been recommended for appointment to the posts of Assistant Commandants  in the Central Industrial Security Force.
The number of candidates recommended for appointment under different categories are as under:
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|
General
|
|
SC
|
|
ST
|
|
Total
|
|
20
|
|
02
|
|
01
|
|
23
Appointments shall be made strictly in accordance with the extant rules of the examination and the number of vacancies available. The number of vacancies reported by the Government areas under:
|
|
General
|
|
SC
|
|
ST
|
|
Total
|
|
20
|
|
02
|
|
01
|
|
23
Union Public Service Commission has a “Facilitation Counter” near Examination Hall in its campus. Candidates can obtain any information/clarification regarding their examination/recruitment on the working days between 1000 hrs. to 1700 hrs. in person or over Telephone Numbers 011-23385271/23381125. The result will also be available on the Commission’s website www.upsc.gov.in.The marks sheet of candidates is likely to be made available on the Commission’s website within fifteen days from the date of declaration of the result.
Click here for result:
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SNC/RR
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